FINIAL
A finial for a curtain rod includes a first finial base portion configured to surround a portion of a curtain rod and a second finial base portion configured to surround another portion of the curtain rod and to mate with the first finial base portion. An interface between the mating first and second finial base portions defines a parting line. A retaining member is engaged with the first finial base portion and movable between a first position, wherein the retaining member does not span the parting line and does not engage the second finial base portion, and a second position, wherein the retaining member spans the parting line and engages the second finial base portion.
The present invention relates to finials used with curtain rods, and more particularly to finials used on shower curtain rods.
It is known to use finials on the end of curtain rods to cover less aesthetic features present on the ends of the rod and to add decorative character to the curtain rod.
SUMMARYThe invention provides an improved finial designed for easy, snap-on assembly and securement without requiring tools. The finial can be assembled to the curtain rod without removing the curtain rod from its mounted position. The construction is well-suited for use with finials of different geometries and aesthetic appearances.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a finial for a curtain rod. The finial includes a first finial base portion configured to surround a portion of a curtain rod and a second finial base portion configured to surround another portion of the curtain rod and to mate with the first finial base portion. An interface between the mating first and second finial base portions defines a parting line. A retaining member is engaged with the first finial base portion and movable between a first position, wherein the retaining member does not span the parting line and does not engage the second finial base portion, and a second position, wherein the retaining member spans the parting line and engages the second finial base portion.
In another embodiment the invention provides a finial for a curtain rod. The finial includes a first finial base portion configured to surround a portion of a curtain rod and a second finial base portion configured to surround another portion of the curtain rod and to mate with the first finial base portion. The mated first and second finial base portions define a longitudinal axis. A retaining member is coupled with the first finial base portion and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis into engagement with the second finial base portion to secure the first and second finial base portions together.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
While only one finial 14 is illustrated in
The illustrated finial base portions 22, 26 mate with one another at two interfaces to define first and second parting lines 30, 34, respectively. As illustrated, the interfaces and parting lines 30, 34 are one hundred eighty degrees apart, but this can vary depending on the configuration of the finial base portions. As shown in
Together, the distal edges 42, 50, the projections 38, and the recesses 46 define the interface between the first and second finial base portions 22, 26. The interface is designed to allow easy assembly and disassembly of the finial 14 from the curtain rod 10. As such, the finial base portions 22, 26 can be easily pressed together in surrounding relationship about the curtain rod 10. Likewise, the interface enables the user to easily separate the finial base portions 22, 26 for removal, subject to the position of a retaining and securing feature that will be described in detail below. No adhesives or threaded fasteners are used, and no tools are required to assemble or disassemble the finial 14 from the curtain rod 10.
As best shown in
The illustrated inner surfaces 58 also include ribs 68 sized, configured, and spaced to provide strength and rigidity to the finial base portions 22, 26, to assist in positioning the spacer portions 54a, 54b, and possibly also to assist positioning the base portions 22, 26 with respect to the ends of the curtain rod 10. For example, the curtain rod 10 could include features configured to abut, engage, or receive one or more of the ribs 68 to assist the user in positioning the finial 14 on the curtain rod 10.
The finial 14 further includes first and second retaining members 70, 74, respectively, operable to selectively secure and retain the finial base portions 22, 26 together in surrounding relation about the curtain rod 10. When in surrounding relation with the curtain rod 10, the assembled first and second base portions 22, 26 define a longitudinal axis 78 that is substantially co-axial with a longitudinal axis of the curtain rod 10. The retaining members 70, 74 are sized and configured to mate with the outer surface 80 of each finial base portion 22, 26, as will be described in more detail below, to selectively secure and retain the finial base portions 22, 26 together.
More specifically, and as shown in
As best shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining members 70, 74 are rotatable about the longitudinal axis 78 along the outer surfaces 80 of the finial base portions 22, 26. Due to the abutment of their respective distal edges 82, 86, the two retaining members 70, 74 will rotate together as a unit to secure or lock the finial base portions 22, 26 together. In other embodiments, the retaining members 70, 74 could translate, pivot, or move in other non-rotational manners to the second position, and could be moved independently of one another. In yet other embodiments, only a single retaining member could be used to secure the finial base portions together.
With reference to
The retaining members 70, 74 also resiliently engage the outer surface 80 of the respective finial base portion 22, 26 by virtue of a complimentary projection and groove arrangement. As shown in
The complimentary projection and groove arrangement between the retaining members 70, 74 and the finial base portions 22, 26 secures the retaining members 70, 74 to the finial base portions 22, 26 in a manner that substantially prevents the retaining members 70, 74 from being pulled off the respective finial base portions 22, 26 and that substantially prevents movement of the retaining members 70, 74 relative to the finial base portions 22, 26 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 78, but that allows a range of rotation of the retaining members 70, 74 about the longitudinal axis 78. The rotation of the retaining members 70, 74 about the longitudinal axis 78, and between the first and second positions, is limited by the size (e.g., the length) of the groove 94, and can be adjusted to achieve the desired amount of rotation.
Inner surfaces 98 of the respective retaining members 70, 74 can also include additional complimentary projection and groove arrangements that assist with alignment and guidance. For example, and as shown in
In operation, the user first mounts the curtain rod 10 in the shower or bath enclosure 18. Once mounted, the finials 14 are installed on the curtain rod 10 by taking the preassembled first finial base portion 22 and first retaining member 70 (and a spacer portion 54a if needed) and positioning it in surrounding relation to the curtain rod 10 with the preassembled second finial base portions 26 and second retaining member 74 (and a spacer portion 54b if needed). The retaining members 70, 74 are in the first position (see
The finial 14 illustrated in
For example,
One notable difference is that in addition to the projections 90′ and grooves 94′, the finial 14′ includes another projection 112 on each retaining member 70′, 74′ that is sized and configured to engage grooves 114 in the form of open-ended through slots formed on each of the finial base portions 22′, 26′. As shown in
Additionally, the finial base portions 22′″ and 26′″ are identical to one another so that only a single part is needed to provide both finial base portions 22′″ and 26′″. This reduces the number of parts and manufacturing costs, and is accomplished by modifying the placement of the projections 38′″ and recesses 46′″ as shown in
Furthermore, the finial base portions 22′″ and 26′″ each include projections or bumps 126 positioned adjacent the distal edge 50′″ and in alignment with the groove 94′″. The projections 126 cooperate with projections or bumps 130 on the inner surfaces 98′″ of the respective retaining members 70′″, 74′″ (shown formed on the ribs 102′″ and in alignment with the projections 90′″—shown also more clearly in
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A finial for a curtain rod, the finial comprising:
- a first finial base portion configured to surround a portion of a curtain rod;
- a second finial base portion configured to surround another portion of the curtain rod and to mate with the first finial base portion, an interface between the mating first and second finial base portions defining a parting line; and
- a retaining member engaged with the first finial base portion and movable between a first position, wherein the retaining member does not span the parting line and does not engage the second finial base portion, and a second position, wherein the retaining member spans the parting line and engages the second finial base portion.
2. The finial of claim 1, wherein the parting line is a first parting line and wherein the interface between the mating first and second finial base portions further defines a second parting line; and
- wherein the finial further comprises a second retaining member engaged with the second finial base portion and movable between a first position, wherein the second retaining member does not span the second parting line and does not engage the first finial base portion, and a second position, wherein the second retaining member spans the second parting line and engages the first finial base portion.
3. The finial of claim 1, wherein the mated first and second final base portions define a longitudinal axis, and wherein the retaining member is rotatable about the longitudinal axis between the first and second positions.
4. The finial of claim 1, wherein the first and second finial base portions further include a complimentary recess and projection arrangement operable to interconnect the first and second finial base portions.
5. The finial of claim 1, further comprising a spacer coupled to the first finial base portion to fill a space defined between the first finial base portion and the curtain rod.
6. The finial of claim 5, wherein the spacer and the first finial base portion include a complimentary recess and projection arrangement operable to interconnect the spacer with the first finial base portion.
7. The finial of claim 1, wherein the first finial base portion includes one of a projection and a groove and the retaining member includes the other of the projection and the groove, the projection received within the groove to guide movement of the retaining member relative to the first finial base portion between the first and second positions.
8. The finial of claim 7, wherein the groove is a slot formed through the first finial base portion and the projection is formed on the retaining member and is received in the slot of the first finial base portion.
9. The finial of claim 7, wherein the groove is formed at least in part by a stepped surface of the first finial base portion and the projection is a rib formed on the retaining member.
10. The finial of claim 1, wherein the retaining member is sized and configured to resiliently engage an outer surface of the first finial base portion.
11. A finial for a curtain rod, the finial comprising:
- a first finial base portion configured to surround a portion of a curtain rod;
- a second finial base portion configured to surround another portion of the curtain rod and to mate with the first finial base portion, the mated first and second finial base portions defining a longitudinal axis; and
- a retaining member coupled with the first finial base portion and rotatable about the longitudinal axis into engagement with the second finial base portion to secure the first and second finial base portions together.
12. The finial of claim 11, further comprising a second retaining member coupled with the second finial base portion and rotatable about the longitudinal axis into engagement with the first finial base portion to secure the first and second finial base portions together.
13. The finial of claim 12, wherein the retaining members are rotatable together as a unit.
14. The finial of claim 11, wherein an interface between the mating first and second finial base portions defines a parting line and wherein the retaining member is rotatable between a first position, wherein the retaining member does not span the parting line and does not engage the second finial base portion, and a second position, wherein the retaining member spans the parting line and engages the second finial base portion.
15. The finial of claim 1, wherein the first and second finial base portions further include a complimentary recess and projection arrangement operable to interconnect the first and second finial base portions.
16. The finial of claim 1, further comprising a spacer coupled to the first finial base portion to fill a space defined between the first finial base portion and the curtain rod.
17. The finial of claim 16, wherein the spacer and the first finial base portion include a complimentary recess and projection arrangement operable to interconnect the spacer with the first finial base portion.
18. The finial of claim 11, wherein the first finial base portion includes one of a projection and a groove and the retaining member includes the other of the projection and the groove, the projection received within the groove to guide rotation of the retaining member relative to the first finial base portion about the longitudinal axis.
19. The finial of claim 18, wherein the groove is a slot formed through the first finial base portion and the projection is formed on the retaining member and is received in the slot of the first finial base portion.
20. The finial of claim 18, wherein the groove is formed at least in part by a stepped surface of the first finial base portion and the projection is a rib formed on the retaining member.
21. The finial of claim 11, wherein the retaining member is sized and configured to resiliently engage an outer surface of the first finial base portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 5, 2009
Publication Date: Feb 10, 2011
Inventors: David J. Trettin (Atlanta, GA), John DeWees (Morristown, NJ), Gary E. Van Deursen (Essex, CT), William D. Hill (Farmington, CT)
Application Number: 12/536,328
International Classification: A47H 99/00 (20090101);